Pusher plate for slicing machines



June 14, 1932. w. J. CAMPBELL PUSHER PLATE FOR SLICING MACHINES Filed July 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 14, 1932. w, J CAMPBELL 1,863,327

PUSHER PLATE FOR SLICING MACHINES Filed July 5, 1929 2, Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 14, 1932 warren STATES.

WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL, OF. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN SLICING ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEE/V YORK.

MACHINE COMFANY, OFGHICAGG,

earner orator PUSHER PLATE FOR SLICING- MACHINES My invention relates to an improvement in slicing machines of the type in which a rotary knife is employed in combination with a gauge plate for determining. the thickness 5'- of the slices and a work support upon which F the work is conveyed across the face of the gauge plate and against the cutting edge of the knife. The general object of my invention is the provision of an improved face or g, pusher plate operative for thrusting the work against the gauge plate after holding it in position during the movement of the work past the cutting edge of the knife, One object of my invention is the provision of a pusher plate which shall be vertically adjustable in relation to the work. Another object is the provision of such a plate which is adapted to engage the top of the workand to thrustit forward by such engagement alithrough adaptable also for engagement with the outer end of the work when the work is of lesser length. Another object is the provision of means for locking the pusher plate at various heights in relation to its handle or supporting means. ()ther objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claim.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar section with parts in different position;

Figure 4; is a plan view;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 1; and

Figure '2' is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Like parts areindicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A generally indicates the base of a slicing machine and A supports upon which the base is mounted.

B indicates a rotary knife forwardly recessed as at B B is a pulley for said knife knife and pulley being mounted for exam pie Application filed July 5, 1929. Serial No. 376,071.

on the knife shaft B B indicates a belt passing about the pulley B whereby the pulley and knife may be rotated, for example in response to the rotation of the motor not herein shown.

C indicates a guard plate for the front of the knife it being provided with an arcuate edge O which penetrates the recess B of the knife. As seen in F igure. 4; the axis of the knife is tilted somewhat from perpendicularity to the face of the plate C, in order to bring the cutting edge of the knife forwardly of said guard plate. V

D generally indicates the, gauge plate mounted in any suitable support D which may be movedby any suitable means toward and away from the cutting plane ofthe knife.

E indicates a track or rail, herein'shown as of circular cross-section, and E is a guide rail positioned therebeneath and herein shown as of rectangular cross-section. E generally indicates a work supporting car riage which is slidably mounted on the rail E and is supported thereby. Depending from the carriage'are the lugs E which are positioned on opposite sides of the trackxE E are supporting members, for example screws, whereby a certain pivotal adjustment ofthe carriage aboutthe rail E may be obtained. E indicates a work supporting plate which, together with the abutment flange E is mounted on any suitable supporting member or frame E pivoted as at E to the carriage E E E are guard members associated with the support E and its flange E.

G generally indicates a pusherplate which is provided on its forward face withthe work engaging studs or spikes G Its lower edge is irregularly formed as at G and maybe further provided with the work engaging spikes or prongs (l in Figures 2 and 3 indicated as forwardly inclined toward the out ting plane. Gt indicates a guide pin for the pusher plate, the pin being mounted on the bracket G associated with the supporting structure E Slidably mounted on the pin G is the sleeve G from which projects the member G associated with the manual handle G The outer end of the handle G is secured in relation to the sleeve G the forward end of which is headed as at G. The head portion I clined faces G opposed to the inclined walls G G is any suitablepin or connection whereby, in response to rotation of the locking knob G the block G may be locked in position at any desired point along the channel G G 7 indicates a further lateral extension from the sleeve G which terminates adj acentthe edge of the support opposite to the pin G It may be provided with an antifrictional member G opposed to a bearing portion G along the edge of the support E It is desirable to limit the uppermost adjustment of the pusher plate G and likewise to prevent accidental dropping of the pusher plate upon the upper surface of the support E Any suitable meansniay be employed. For example, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, the squared head G of the pin G is seated within the recess G in the block G. The pin G projects through an elongated aperture G, which defines the lowest position of the pusher plate as shown in Figure 2. The pusher plate G may be raised until the head G engages the wall G of the recess G shown in Figure 3.

It will be realized that whereas I have-described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be ,made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and showing to be taken as 1n.

a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In the employment of a slicing machine of the type herein shown it maybe desirable to slice material having lengths greater than the length of the support E For example,

in slicing a piece of bacon the bacon may extend outwardly away from the knife for which it is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and merely tilted about the pivot G it will not evenly engage the top of the bacon. I therein Figure 1, and to provide means for raising or lowering the pusher plate G in relation to it. The wedge faced block G and channel G form an efficient locking means. The locking nut G can be quickly loosened, and as quickly tightened. When the plate G is locked in the'upper position, in which it isshown in Figure 3, its serrated lower edge engages thetop ofthe work, and the pins G further help ingrasping the work. In

order to ease the movement ofthe work towards the cutting plane I may corrugate the entire upper surface of the plate E", as shown at E in Figuresl and i.- These corrugations or ridges support the work but vastly reduce the area of frictional engagement with the plate E The area G may be milled or smoothed to form an adequate bearing support for the member G. If the member G wears down or is omitted, the outer end of the member G" engages the bearingGr and since the opposed areas are relatively slight and since the bearing G is milled or smoothed, an adequate support is provided which does not perceptibly interfere with the forward movement of-the pusher plat assembly toward the cutting plane.

I claim: i

In a slicing machine, a rotary knife, a carriage and means for guiding said carriage along a path across the face of the knife,- a pusher plate support mounted for movement on said carriage toward and away from the face of the knife and a pusher plate vertically adjustably mounted thereupon, the connection between pusher plate and pusher plate support including a wedge block on' one of said members opposed to a wedge cavity in the other, and locking means for drawing said block into said cavity.

Signed at Indianapolis, county of Marion and State of Indiana, this 24th day of June, 1929.

l/VILLIAM J. CAMPBELL.

I fore provide a range of adjustment for the I plate in relation to the handle G This handle, in connection with the members G and G forms a supporting structure which eX- tends from edge to edge of the plate E namely, from the pin G to the bearing G I find it desirable to leave this structure normally in the position in which it is shown 

